Dual Boot

[Fontman]

I was informed when I ordered the 15t laptop that is dual boot capable. When I could not do this I contacted support and after many hours of waiting and getting through, they hung up on me. As I could not get any assistance, I tried to use legacy mode, and the Windows partitions became corrupted, although I could now install another OS. I tried to contact HP support again with a case number and after 2 hours the phone went dead.

I realize to install Windows 10 I now have to restore it with Windows 10 on a USB. What I don't know is if the product key is embedded in the laptop, i.e. with a Digital Product Key if I have to wipe the disk and try to start again with different BIOS settings.

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

Hi

I have some pat answers that may help...

ShowKeyPlus from the Microsoft Store (probably the best choice).
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/showkeyplus/9pkvzcprx9nv?activetab=pivot:overviewtab
The output is like this....
ShowKeyPlus - Windows Product Key Information

Product Name: Windows 10 Home
Version: 12345.678 (64-bit OS)
Product ID: 00000-00000-00000-AAOEM
Installed Key: 12345-67890-09876-54321
OEM Key: MICRO-SOFTY-WINDO-WSTEN-64BIT
OEM Edition: Win 10 RTM Core OEM:DM

ALSO
KeyFinderInstaller may help.…
It gives this…. – CD Key: 12345-67890-09876-54321

ELSE
There is a possibility of finding the same value in the Registry....
USING RegEdit the key is listed below and it’s content also shown.
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform

BackupProductKeyDefault 12345-67890-09876-54321

Three different names for the same value in 3 different software methods.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From 2016 onwards there is a possible recovery option via the cloud...
HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool (Windows 7 & 10)
https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06162205

OR
This First part only works when a valid Recovery Partition is enabled.

If it displays an error message then move onto the Second part,
OR if you have data you wish to try and save using the XCOPY command.
Then create your own Repair/Recovery/Rebuild/Re-install media or buy a set from HP.

Turn off the computer.

Disconnect all connected devices and cables, Media Drives, USB drives, printers, & faxes.
Remove media from internal drives, and remove any recently added internal hardware.
Do not disconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, or power cord.

Turn on the computer and repeatedly press the F11 key, about once every second,
until the Choose an option screen is displayed, and then continue.

On the Choose an Option screen, click Troubleshoot, and work your way through the screens.

Second Part:-
This may require another PC. Find and Download your .iso from…
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Expand/Extract/Burn the iso Image onto a DVD/USB as needed.
Microsoft’s Creator Tool will make the required DVD or USB.

Even though it has NO actual HP software/drivers included, you may be able to
XCOPY the C:\Users\* area onto a ‘large’ USB stick, via the Command Prompt.

You’ll need to try various drive letters; D:..-..Z: until it’s matched - could be G; mine’s S:

C:\>XCOPY C:\Users\* S:\ /e /i /h (then files like those 3 listed below get copied over)

C:\Users\desktop.ini
C:\Users\All Users\agent.1509128044.bdinstall.bin
C:\Users\All Users\HP Deskjet 2540 series\Help\flash\zoom.swf

Then you can try System Recovery Options / Advanced Options shown in the screenshots.


NB: - W10 Begin with the Automatic Repair, then Startup Settings etc.

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-10-from-usb

~~~~~~~~~~~

For W10 and Linux use GPT Secure BOOT set in the BIOS, and the Format the HDD

accordingly.

Some guides....
https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/tutorial-install-ubuntu-desktop#1-overview
https://itsfoss.com/install-ubuntu/
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-install-linux/
https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Ubuntu-Linux

[Fontman]

Lil_Boy_Blue

Thanks for the info, but I'm still in limbo..

It would be nice to know if the Digital Product Key is embedded in the system or on a drive partition, if at all.

As I'm unable to boot into windows, ShowKeyPlus is not an option although that is useful to know.

The Cloud recovery does not work right now because the Microsoft site requires a security code to sign in. When my security info updates on 4/24/2020 I will be able to access this site.

Creating a valid Recovery Partition might be a challenge as it shows an error.

I have downloaded the Win10 iso, but I'd rather know I have the product key before starting. If I use this iso, I'll probably have to download the Realtek RTL8723DE driver (I had to compile this for MX Linux 19 AHS with kernel 5.4)

I don't think that setting the BIOS to GPT Secure BOOT will work, as booting from a USB simply hangs the system after selecting any mode to load MX. Only after I disabled secure Boot and enabled Legacy mode could I get the USB drive with a number of different Linux OS's to boot.

I realize I may have be limited to one OS, but I want to know if I can restore Windows 10 anyway.

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

Hi

Please clarify?

The HP cloud recovery site needs to know the Make and Model (preferably the SKU:), and HP is not Microsoft, so there is no Microsoft involvement.

A decent Linux will install on a GPT/Secure partition, so use one of those.

W10 will install without a key if you choose  skip / later for the key.

https://www.howtogeek.com/244678/you-dont-need-a-product-key-to-install-and-use-windows-10/

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10iso

will work in Linux.

sudo cat /sys/firmware/acpi/tables/MSDM | strings | tail -n 1

is a Debian/Linux command to find a W10 Key.

Bye.

[Fontman]

When I query if my system is supported by the HP Cloud Recovery Tool, I'm directed to Create my Recovery Media by the following tool:

https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9mtks9pr7r3n

The HP Cloud Recovery Tool has to be installed in Windows — not an option.

None of the Linux distro's I've tried will install on the 15t laptop with secure boot and Legacy disabled.

I don't see the point of installing W10 if I don't have a key.

As for the Microsoft link, I've already mentioned that I have downloaded the Win10 iso, but again, I'd rather know I have the product key before starting. I think you mean
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10iso

will work in Linux using a Live USB Maker.

While I appreciate your zeal to assist me, you provided many options either not related to my main question or suggestions that are not workable, which is access to the Product Key.

However, the 'sudo cat' command WORKED, so, hopefully I now have a Product Key that I can use to recover Windows 10.

Thank You, so you REALLY did help me.